If you’re looking for an excuse to brighten up your living space, April, National Garden Month, may be the perfect time to start a mini nursery. If the idea of buying one more plant just to watch it wither in under a month seems discouraging, follow these easy tips that will help you turn your grey room into a greenhouse.
Read up on your plants
Not all plants are created equal — especially when it comes to which ones are best for dorms. Some plants like succulents, cacti, aloe vera or bamboo are fairly hardy, meaning that even if you’re not the best at remembering to water your mini garden, they’ll likely survive through a bit of mistreatment. Others, however, aren’t as tolerant. A lot of light, flowering plants require specific amounts of sunlight and watering. They’re also pretty delicate — meaning a bit of forgetfulness or less-than-ideal environments, like air conditioning, low sunlight or being potted, can cause your greenery to look a bit more like brownery.
Make it easy for yourself
Plants are supposed to brighten up your life and filter the air in your room — not stress you out. Pick plants that you think look good, but would also do well in your environment. Also, if you’re not looking for something that requires a lot of knowledge and care, don’t bother growing anything from seeds. Growing seedlings usually necessitates a lot of delicate steps — from germination and transferring pots, to caring for the fragile sprouts and knowing how much water and sun to give them, it’s likely not worth the hassle (and mess!) of saving a few bucks.
Light ‘em up
Indoor situations, especially those of residence hall rooms, don’t always lend to the best environment for plants. Too little sunlight, and a plant will wither away and die, and too much can result in too much heat energy absorption and will also harm your garden. Be sure to know what each greenery requires, and try to adhere to those recommendations as best as possible. Putting plants as close to the window as possible is usually best for them, as they will be able to get the most sunlight there. Remember, though, that some windows, depending on their direction, can’t provide full sunlight conditions.
Give them space
As your thumb grows greener, your plants may grow larger. If you notice the roots of your plants poking through the drainage holes or the sudden slow of growth, it may be time to give it a new home. You can do this by simply removing a plant by grabbing it closest to the soil, relocating it to a new, larger pot and adding extra potting soil. This might also require you to give it a new home in your room. If the new pot no longer fits on a window sill, consider placing it on a nearby desk or buying a small cart to house your little jungle.
